Adjustable shoe

ABSTRACT

A shoe comprising an extendable and retractable heel; a heel adjustment mechanism to maintain at least a section of the heel in contact with a walking surface substantially perpendicular to the walking surface; and a control mechanism including a controller to automatically control the heel adjustment mechanism

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/658,935 filed 13 Jun. 2012, which is hereby incorporated in itsentirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to footwear generally and to shoes withadjustable heels in particular.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Shoes may generally be found of varied heel heights, particularlywomen's shoes. Some women's shoes may have low heels, while others mayhave high heels, while still others may have medium heels. Frequently, awoman's selection of a shoe to be worn is influenced by the heel size ofthe shoe. For example, for walking over a relatively long distance or ona non-smooth surface, many times a low-heeled shoe may be selected,while for walking over short distances a medium-heel or long-heel shoemay be selected. The selection may also be influenced by a woman'sdressing, frequently selecting a low-heel shoe as part of a casualdressing while selecting a medium-heel or high-heel shoe for moreelegant dressing.

Shoes with adjustable heel heights allow a user to switch between alow-heel shoe and a high-heel shoe. These shoes have been devised in anattempt to provide women with the convenience of not having to switchshoes when a low-heel shoe is desired to be worn and when a high-heelshoe is to be worn. This may be the case, for example, when a womanwalks to and from work when she may prefer to wear a low-heel shoe, andwhen in work where she may prefer to wear a high-heel shoe. Someexamples of these shoes with adjustable heel heights are described inU.S. Pat. No. 8,322,053 to Handel et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 2,934,840 to M.Mistarz; U.S. Pat. No. 4,416,072 to Sarkissian; U.S. Pat. No. 8,453,351to Hale; U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,730 to Rodriguez Colon; and US PatentApplication Publication No. 2012/0085000 to Alaimo.

Other related art includes CN201726942 (U), CN1849956 (A), CN201905308(U), CN2419856(Y), US2008/184598(A1), U.S. Pat. No. 2,258,265 (A), U.S.Pat. No. 3,464,126 (A), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,309,651 (A).

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

There is provided, according to an embodiment of the present invention,a shoe including an extendable and retractable heel; a heel adjustmentmechanism to maintain at least a section of the heel in contact with awalking surface substantially perpendicular to the walking surface; anda control mechanism including a controller to automatically control theheel adjustment mechanism.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the shoe includes aheel extending and retracting mechanism.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the shoe includesone or more sensors to detect a position of the at least a section ofthe heel.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the shoe includes avertical alignment mechanism to maintain the at least of a section ofthe heel substantially perpendicular to the walking surface.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the shoe includesat least one vertical alignment sensor to sense an angle of the at leasta section of the heel relative to the walking surface.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the shoe includes atransceiver for communicating with a remote control device.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the shoe includes apower supply.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the shoe includesan electronic interface module to allow a user to manually activate theheel adjustment mechanism and the control mechanism.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the shoe includesan electronic interface module for entering heel height adjustment datato the controller.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the shoe includesan adjustable sole platform between an inner sole and an outer sole ofthe shoe.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the shoe includes asole adjustment mechanism for automatically displacing the at leastfirst section relative to the second section.

There is provided, according to an embodiment of the present invention,heel adjustment system for use with a shoe including an extendable andretractable heel; a heel base to which the heel is attached andincluding a heel adjustment mechanism to maintain at least a section ofthe heel in contact with a walking surface substantially perpendicularto the walking surface; and a control mechanism including a controllerto automatically control the heel adjustment mechanism.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heel adjustmentsystem is configured to be positioned between an inner sole and an outersole of a shoe.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heel adjustmentmechanism includes a heel extending and retracting mechanism.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heel adjustmentmechanism includes one or more sensors to detect a position of the atleast a section of the heel.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heel adjustmentmechanism includes a vertical alignment mechanism to maintain the atleast of a section of the heel substantially perpendicular to thewalking surface.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heel adjustmentmechanism includes at least one vertical alignment sensor to sense anangle of the at least a section of the heel relative to the walkingsurface.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heel adjustmentmechanism includes a transceiver for communicating with a remote controldevice.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heel adjustmentmechanism includes a power supply.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heel adjustmentmechanism includes an electronic interface module to allow a user tomanually activate the heel adjustment mechanism and the controlmechanism.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heel adjustmentmechanism includes an electronic interface module for entering heelheight adjustment data to the controller.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heel adjustmentmechanism includes an adjustable sole platform attached to the heelbase.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heel adjustmentmechanism includes a sole adjustment mechanism for automaticallydisplacing the at least first section relative to the second section.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the one or moresensors include at least one of a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, anelectro-magnetic sensor, a magnetic sensor, and a switch.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least onevertical alignment sensor includes at least one of a pressure sensor, anoptical sensor, an electro-magnetic sensor, a magnetic sensor, and aswitch.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the controlmechanism includes a controller.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the communicatingwith the remote control device is over a wireless network.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the wirelessnetwork is at least one of a wireless local area network, a cellularnetwork, and a personal area network.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electronicinterface module includes a sensor for detecting wearing of the shoe.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sole platformincludes at least a first section attached to a second section, andwherein the first section is angularly displaceable relative to thesecond section.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sole adjustmentmechanism includes a locking mechanism to maintain the first section ina fixed position relative to the second section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed outand distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification.The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation,together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best beunderstood by reference to the following detailed description when readwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a shoe including an exemplary heeladjustment system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A-2C schematically illustrate shoe with different heel heights,according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a functional block diagram of the heeladjustment system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 4A-4G schematically illustrate exemplary extendable/retractableheels for use in the heel adjustment system, according to an embodimentof the present invention;

FIGS. 5A and 5B is a flow chart of an exemplary method of operating theheel adjustment system, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a method of adjusting the heel height of theshoe of FIG. 1 including the heel adjustment system, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale.For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggeratedrelative to other elements for clarity. Further, where consideredappropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures toindicate corresponding or analogous elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention.However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that thepresent invention may be practiced without these specific details. Inother instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have notbeen described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.

Applicants have realized that prior art shoes with adjustable heels donot allow a user to remotely adjust the heel height and accordingly, theshape of the sole to conform to the heel height, while standing on theshoes. Most prior art shoes with adjustable heels require that the usersit down and physically adjust the height, for example, by folding orextending a section of the heel; by removing or adding a section of theheel; or by inserting and retracting a section of the heel in and out ofanother heel section using a screwing action, a pumping action, or otherphysically related mechanical action. Some of the prior art shoes withadjustable heels allow for remote adjustment of the heel height, whichmay allow the user to stand while adjusting the height. Nevertheless,these remote-controlled shoes tend to be unsteady and uncomfortable whenstanding or walking with high heels as the change in the shape of thesole may cause the heel to be slightly angled relative to the walkingsurface. In many, if not all of the prior art shoes, the user's footshapes the sole (and the shoe) to conform to the adjusted heel height,which may be rather uncomfortable for the user, particularly whenwearing high heels.

Applicants have realized that the drawbacks in prior art shoes may beovercome with a shoe with an adjustable heel which may be maintainedsubstantially perpendicular to the walking surface while the user isstanding or walking, and which may include an adjustable sole whichadjusts the shape of the shoe to the adjusted heel height. The height ofthe heel may be remotely selected or controlled by the user andcommunicated to a controller in the shoe which may activate a heelmechanism which adjusts the height of the heel and the angle of the heelrelative to the walking surface. The controller may also activate a solemechanism which adjusts the shape of the sole of the shoe to conform tothe selected heel height. Additionally or alternatively, the height ofthe heel may be manually selected by the user through an electronicinterface on the shoe.

Applicants have further realized that a shoe with an adjustable heel,according to an embodiment of the present invention, may havepotentially beneficial applications additionally or alternatively toallowing a user to switch between a low heel shoe and a high heel shoe.One example may be to allow a user to adjust the height of the heel ofone or both shoes in a pair of shoes to compensate for differences inleg lengths of the user. This may be potentially beneficial, forexample, for users with leg length differences resulting from a geneticdeformity or from an accident, or who may be wearing a leg cast (e.g.fractured ankle), or who may have a natural difference in leg lengths.This may also be potentially beneficial, for example, to allow a userwho may be concerned with being of a short stature to increase his/herheight by adjusting the height of the heels.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1 which schematically illustrates a shoe10 including an exemplary heel adjustment system 100, according to anembodiment of the present invention. Heel adjustment system 100 mayallow a user (wearer) to adjust a heel height of shoe 10 while standingin the shoe. Heel adjustment system 100 may additionally maintain theheel of shoe 10 substantially perpendicular to a walking surface duringthe heel height adjustment, and while the user is standing or walking.Heel adjustment system 100 may additionally adjust a shape of a sole ofshoe 10 responsive to changes in the heel height of the shoe.Alternatively, the shape of the sole is adjusted by the user's footexerting pressure during heel height adjustments. Heel adjustment system100 may additionally interface with a remote control unit 150 to allowthe user to remotely adjust the heel height of shoe 10 while standingand/or walking in the shoe. Additionally, remote control unit 150 mayallow the user to substantially simultaneously remotely adjust the heelheights of both shoes of a pair of shoes worn by the user.

Heel adjustment system 100 includes a heel base 102 and anextendable/retractable heel 104. Heel adjustment system 100 mayadditionally include a sole platform 106. Heel base 102 and soleplatform 106 may be positioned inside shoe 10 between outer sole 12 andinner sole 14. Heel base 102 may serve as a base for heel 104 and ispreferably positioned in a rear section of the shoe, the heel extendingfrom the heel base through outer sole 12 in a direction towards thewalking surface. Sole platform 106 may be attached at one end to heelbase 104 and may extend from the heel base towards the front of theshoe. Sole platform 106 may be mechanically adjustable to allow outersole 12 and inner sole 14 to assume a shape which conforms to theadjusted heel height. Shoe 10 may be any type of shoe suitable to beused with heel height adjustment, and may include men, women, andchildren shoes.

Heel base 102 may include a heel mechanism 108, a control mechanism 110,and a heel pivot mechanism 112. Heel mechanism 108 may adjust the heightof heel 104, and may include use of electrical, mechanical,electro-mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, or other means, or combinationof means, suitable to make height adjustments. Heel mechanism 108 mayadditionally maintain an angle of heel 104 substantially perpendicularto the walking surface for all adjusted heel heights. Heel mechanism 108may maintain the heel's perpendicularity by angularly shifting heel base102 around heel pivot mechanism 112 relative to heel 104.

Extendable/retractable heel 104 may include a telescopic heel and mayinclude a base section 114, a first extension 116, and a secondextension 118. A height of heel 104 may be adjusted by heel mechanism108 so that any one or both of first extension 116 and second extension118 may be partially or wholly extended. A maximum heel height for shoe10 is achieved when first extension 116 and second extension 118 isfully extended, and a minimum height when the first and second extensionare fully retracted inside base section 114. Although heel 104 is shownhaving three sections (114, 116, 118), a skilled person may realize thatthe heel may be implemented having less than three sections or more thanthree sections.

Control mechanism 110 may control the operation of heel mechanism 108,activating and deactivating the height adjustment means responsive tothe heel height selection of the user. Control mechanism 110 mayadditionally control the operation of heel mechanism 108 to adjust theangle of heel 104 perpendicular to the walking surface. Controlmechanism 110 may additionally control the operation of a sole mechanism120 which may adjust the shape of sole platform 106 responsive tochanges in the heel height.

Sole platform 106 may include sole mechanism 120, a rear section 122, afront section 124, and a platform pivot mechanism 126. Sole platform 106may adjust the shape of outer sole 12 and inner sole 14 (and shoe 10) toaccommodate heel height adjustments. Sole mechanism 120 may adjust anangle of rear section 122 relative to front section 124, and may includeuse of electrical, mechanical, electro-mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic,or other means, or combination of means, suitable to make the angularadjustments. Front section 124 may generally remain in a directionsubstantially parallel to the walking surface while rear section 122 isangularly shifted relative to the front section around platform pivotmechanism 126 to adjust the shape of the sole.

Sole platform 106 is shown in the figure having rear section 14 andfront section 12 and platform pivot mechanism 126. Nevertheless, anordinary person skilled in the art may realize that sole platform 106may be divided into a number of sections, each separated by a platformpivot mechanism 126 to allow one or more sections to be angularlyshifted by sole mechanism 120. This may allow the shape of sole platform106 to be more precisely adjusted to the shape of the user's foot, andmay allow more precise adjustment of the shape of outer sole 12 andinner sole 14 (and consequently shoe 10) to conform to heel heightadjustments. More precise adjustment of the shape of shoe 10 maypotentially result in greater user comfort.

Sole platform 106 may be made from a relatively strong, flexiblematerial suitable for exerting pressure on, and flexing, outer sole 12and inner sole 14. The material may include, for example, plastic,metal, cellulose, cork, leather, rubber, among other suitable materials.Alternatively, sole platform 106 may be made from a relatively softmaterial so that the shape of outer sole 12 and inner sole 14 areadjusted by the action of the heel height adjusting, and the user's footinside shoe 10. A soft sole platform may obviate sole mechanism 120 andplatform pivot mechanism 126.

Remote control device 150 may allow the user to control adjusting ofheel height while standing in shoe 10. Remote control device 150 mayinclude means to allow the user to interface with heel adjustment system100, for example, to input data to the system and to view data from thesystem. Data input may be through buttons or a touch screen on remotecontrol device 150; or verbally through a microphone on the device; ordownloaded to the device from a computer device such as a PC, tablet,laptop, or from a storage device such as a flash memory device; ordownloaded from the Internet over a wired and/or wireless communicationsnetwork. Remote control device 150 may include a display which may allowthe user to view the data input to heel adjustment system 100 and toview data processed by the system. Data may include a desired heelheight which may be input by the user or by medically-related personnelsuch as for example, a physician, a physiotherapist, a chiropractor,among others. The data may include a shoe type, model, user personaldata, activity to be performed (for example, a long walk over roughterrain), date and time information, among many other data which may beof interest to the user, or which may facilitate user operation of theshoes, including automatic operation. The displayed data may include thedesired heel heights for a pair of shoes, the actual heel heights of theshoes, and a visual alarm in case of disparity between the adjusted heelheights and the desired heel height. Also displayed may be a batterycharge status, which may include a visual alarm when the battery chargeis low. Also displayed may be an operational status of heel adjustmentsystem 100 as reported by a built-in-test (BIT) included in the heeladjustment system, and which may include a visual warning when a faultis detected by the BIT. Remote control device 150 may include means toaudibly transmit information to the user, which may include the inputdata, the displayed data, and an audible warning alarm which may beassociated with the visual alarms. Remote control device 150 may includemeans to pair each remote control device with a particular pair ofshoes, for example, by means of an identifier code which is transmittedby the remote control device to each pair of shoes and is processed bycontrol mechanism 110 in each shoe. If the identifier code received bycontrol mechanism 110 is recognized by the control mechanism, thenpairing is established between each shoe 10 and remote control device150.

Remote control device 150 may be implemented in a dedicated remotecontrol device. Additionally or alternatively, remote control device 150may be implemented in a smart phone, a tablet computer, or any othertype of mobile device with communication capability and which may allowdownloading of an application program over a communication network forinterfacing with heel adjustment system 100. Additionally oralternatively, remote control device 150 may include a computing devicesuch as, for example, a personal computer or a laptop computer in whicha software program may be installed or downloaded over a communicationnetwork for interfacing with heel adjustment system 100.

Reference is now also made to FIGS. 2A-2C which schematically illustrateshoe 10 with different heel heights, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

In FIG. 2A, shoe 10 is shown with a low heel 104 having a height of H1,base section 114 resting substantially perpendicularly to a floor 20.First extension 116 and second extension 118 are retracted inside ofbase section 114. Heel mechanism 108 may adjust and lock base section114 substantially perpendicular to floor 20 so that the user may adjustthe heel height while standing, and may maintain the base section lockedperpendicularly while the user is standing or walking. Sole mechanism120 may adjust and lock rear section 122 in sole platform 106 at aninclination relative to front section 124 which is substantiallyparallel to floor 20. The inclination is determined by the height H1 ofheel 104. Outer sole 12 and inner sole 14 may be flexed and their shapeadjusted to follow sole platform 106.

In FIG. 2B, shoe 10 is shown with a medium heel 104 having a height ofH2, first extension 116 fully extended from base section 114 by heelmechanism 108 and resting substantially perpendicularly to a floor 20.Although shown as fully extended in the figure, first extension 116 maybe partially extended so that the height of heel 104 is greater than H1but less than H2. Second extension 118 is retracted inside of basesection 114. Heel mechanism 108 may adjust and lock base section 114 ina position so that first extension 116 is substantially perpendicular tofloor 20. Although first extension is perpendicularly arranged relativeto floor 20, base section 114 may be angled with respect to floor 20.Sole mechanism 120 may lock rear section 122 at an inclination relativeto front section 124 determined by the height H2 of heel 104. Outer sole12 and inner sole 14 are flexed and their shape adjusted to follow soleplatform 106.

In FIG. 2C, shoe 10 is shown with a high heel 104 having a height of H3,first extension 116 and second extension 118 fully extended from basesection 114 by heel mechanism 108, the second extension restingsubstantially perpendicularly to a floor 20. Although shown as fullyextended in the figure, any one or both of first extension 116 andsecond extension may be partially extended so that the height of heel104 is greater than H1 but less than H3. Heel mechanism 108 may adjustand lock base section 114 in a position so that second extension 118 issubstantially perpendicular to floor 20. Although second extension 118is perpendicularly arranged relative to floor 20, base section 114and/or first extension 116 may be at an angle with respect to floor 20.Sole mechanism 120 may adjust and lock rear section 122 at aninclination relative to front section 124 determined by the height H3 ofheel 104. Outer sole 12 and inner sole 14 may be flexed and their shapeadjusted to follow sole platform 106.

Reference is now also made to FIG. 3 which schematically illustrates afunctional block diagram of heel adjustment system 100, according to anembodiment of the present invention. Heel mechanism 108 includes anextend/retract drive mechanism 130, an extend/retract sensor 132, avertical alignment mechanism 134, a vertical alignment locking mechanism135, and a vertical alignment sensor 136. Control mechanism 110 includesa controller 151, a power supply 152, an on-shoe activator 154, and atransceiver 156. Sole mechanism 120 includes a sole adjustment mechanism140 and a sole locking mechanism 142.

Extend/retract drive mechanism 108 may extend and retract firstextension 116 and second extension 118 in a direction away from, andtowards, heel base 102. Extend/retract drive mechanism 108 mayadditionally lock first extension 116 and second extension 118 inposition in order to maintain heel 104 at a desired (user selected) heelheight. Extend/retract drive mechanism 108 may include electricalcomponents, mechanical components, electromechanical components,hydraulic components, or pneumatic components, or any combinationthereof. These components may include, for example, motors, gears,pumps, valves, fluid chambers, pistons, tubes, switches, relays,solenoids, springs, screws, and other moving and/or stationarycomponents as may be realized by a skilled person to arrive at a drivemechanism configured to extend and retract first extension 116 andsecond extension 118.

Extend/retract sensor 132 may include one or more sensors fordetecting/sensing a distance first extension 116 and second extension118 extend from heel base 102 and/or from base section 114.Extend/retract sensor 132 may include magnetic sensors, electromagneticsensors, optical sensors, light sensors, micro-switches, or other typesof sensors known in the art and suitable to provide the distancedetection/sensing.

Vertical alignment mechanism 134 may shift a position of base section114 relative to base heel 102 in order to maintain heel 104substantially perpendicular to floor 20. Heel 104 may be considered tobe substantially perpendicular to floor 20 under the followingconditions:

a. when first extension 116 and second extension 118 are fully retractedin base section 114, the base section is substantially perpendicular tothe floor;

b. when first extension 116 is partially or fully extended, and secondextension 118 is fully retraced in the first extension, the firstextension is substantially perpendicular to floor 20 (base section maybe inclined with respect to the floor);

c. when second extension 118 is partially or fully extended, the secondextension is substantially perpendicular to floor 20 (base sectionand/or first extension may be inclined with respect to the floor).

Interacting with vertical alignment mechanism 134 may be a verticalalignment locking mechanism 135 which may lock a position of heel 104 sothat at least the extension making contact with floor 20 isperpendicular to the floor.

Vertical alignment mechanism 134 may include electrical components,mechanical components, electromechanical components, hydrauliccomponents, or pneumatic components, or any combination thereof. Thesecomponents may include, for example, motors, gears, pumps, valves, fluidchambers, pistons, tubes, switches, relays, solenoids, springs, screws,and other moving and/or stationary components as may be realized by askilled person to arrive at an alignment mechanism configured to alignand lock heel 104 substantially perpendicular to the floor.

Vertical alignment sensor 136 may include one or more sensors fordetecting/sensing an angle of heel 104 relative to heel base 102 and/orrelative to floor 20. Vertical alignment sensor 136 may include magneticsensors, electromagnetic sensors, optical sensors, light sensors,micro-switches, or other types of sensors known in the art and suitableto provide the vertical alignment sensing.

Sole adjustment mechanism 140 may adjust a position of rear section 122in sole platform 106 relative to front section 124 to adjust the shapeof outer sole 12 and inner sole 14 to conform with the adjusted heelheight of heel 104. Additionally or alternatively, sole adjustmentmechanism 140 may cause flexing or straightening of rear section 122 toadjust the shape of outer sole 12 and inner sole 14. Sole adjustmentmechanism 140 may include electrical components, mechanical components,electromechanical components, hydraulic components, or pneumaticcomponents, or any combination thereof. These components may include,for example, motors, gears, pumps, valves, fluid chambers, pistons,tubes, switches, relays, solenoids, springs, screws, and other movingand/or stationary components as may be realized by a skilled person toarrive at an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the shape ofouter sole 12 and inner sole 14. Interacting with sole adjustmentmechanism 140 may be a sole locking mechanism 142 which may lock aposition of rear section 122 relative to front section 124 to maintainthe adjusted sole shapes.

Controller 151 may control the operation of heel adjustment system 100responsive to heel height adjustment commands received through remotecontrol unit 150 or directly input to the controller through on-shoeactivator 154. Controller 151 may control the operation ofextend/retract drive mechanism 130, vertical alignment mechanism 134,vertical alignment locking mechanism 135, sole adjustment mechanism 140,and sole locking mechanism 142. Controller 151 may synchronize operationof one or more of mechanisms 130, 134, 135, 140 and 142, including theirsimultaneous activation and deactivation. Controller 151 may control theoperation of mechanisms 130, 134, 135, 140 and 142 responsive to datareceived from extend/retract sensor 132 and vertical alignment sensor136. An exemplary description of the operation of heel adjustment system100 including controller 151 is provided further on below with referenceto FIGS. 5A and 5B.

Power supply 152 may be a DC voltage supply source and may include oneor more replaceable batteries. Alternatively, power supply 152 mayinclude rechargeable batteries and means to recharge the batteries byconnecting the power supply to an AC power line. The connection to theAC power line may be through an external AC/DC converter to which powersupply 152 may be connected. Additionally or alternatively, power supply152 may be connected to any DC power supply source suitable forrecharging the batteries using through USB connection. For example, byconnecting to a USB port in a PC or laptop computer, or to asmartphone/mobile charger, among other suitable DC supply sources.

On-shoe activator 154 may include an electronic interface module toallow the user to input heel height adjustment data directly without useof remote control device 150 and to perform other operations associatedwith the use of shoe 10 and heel adjustment system 100. On-shoeactivator 154 may additionally allow the user to input some of the datawhich may be input through remote control device 150, and may includemeans to display some of the information which may be displayed on theremote control device, for example incorrect heel heights, weak batterystatus, among other information. On-shoe activator 154 may additionallyinclude means for automatically sensing when a user first puts on theshoes, activating controller 151 and other select components in controlmechanism, for example, transceiver 156. On-shoe activator 154 maytrigger controller 151 to go from a sleep state to a wait state or otheractive state upon sensing the user putting on the shoes, and may causetransceiver 156 to be activated for receiving commands from remotecontrol device 150. On-shoe activator 154 may additionally oralternatively include means to manually activate heel adjustment system100, for example, by the user pressing a button on the activator.

Transceiver 156 may communicate over wireless means 158 with remotecontrol device 150 for sending and receiving the data associated withthe operation of heel adjustment system 100. The wireless means mayinclude a Wi-Fi communications network, a personal area network (e.g.Bluetooth, ZigBee), a cellular phone network, among other suitablecommunication networks.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 4A-4G which schematically illustrateexemplary extendable/retractable heels 400-460 for use in heeladjustment system 100, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. A skilled person may realize that the following shapesdescribed herein are for exemplary purposes, and that theextendable/retractable heels may be implemented in numerous othershapes.

FIG. 4A schematically illustrates an exemplary telescopic,rectangular-shaped heel 400 including a base section 402, a firstextension 404, and a second extension 406. FIG. 4B schematicallyillustrates an exemplary telescopic, circular-shaped heel 410 includinga base section 412, a first extension 414, and a second extension 416.FIG. 4C schematically illustrates an exemplary telescopic,pentagonal-shaped heel 420 including a base section 422, a firstextension 424, and a second extension 426. FIG. 4D schematicallyillustrates an exemplary telescopic, chevron-shaped heel 430 including abase section 432, a first extension 434, and a second extension 436.FIG. 4E schematically illustrates an exemplary telescopic, badge-shapedheel 440 including a base section 442, a first extension 444, and asecond extension 446. FIG. 4F schematically illustrates an exemplarytelescopic, triangular-shaped heel 450 including a base section 452, afirst extension 454, and a second extension 456. FIG. 4G schematicallyillustrates an exemplary extendable/retractable heel 460 attached to aheel base 462 and having two opposing walls 464 and 466 and a centralrectangular section 468 which may be extended and retracted along thetwo opposing walls.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 5A and 5B which is a flow chart of anexemplary method of operating heel adjustment system 100, according toan embodiment of the present invention. A skilled person may realizethat the exemplary method described herein may be implemented using moresteps or less steps, and may include different sequences of steps.

At 500, control mechanism 500 is activated. Activation may be by theuser activating a button on on-shoe activator 154 or by the on-shoeactivator sensing the user first putting on the shoes.

At 502, the desired heel height data is input to controller 151. Thedata may be input manually by the user through on-shoe activator 154 ormay be remotely sent from remote control device 150. When sent fromremote control device 150, transceiver 156 may receive the data overwireless means 158 and may transfer the information to controller 151for processing.

At 504A, controller 151 operates heel extend/retract drive mechanism 130to adjust the heel height of heel 104. Substantially simultaneously withoperation of extend/retract drive mechanism 130, at 504B controller 151operates vertical alignment mechanism 134 to maintain heel 104substantially perpendicular to floor 20. Substantially simultaneous withoperation of heel extend/retract drive mechanism 130, at 504C controller151 operates sole adjustment mechanism 140 to adjust the shape of outersole 12 and inner sole 14 in shoe 10.

At 506A, extend/retract sensor 132 may continuously sense the length ofheel 104 by detecting the position of first extension 116 and secondextension 118. Substantially simultaneously at the same time, at 506Bvertical alignment sensor 136 continuously senses the alignment of heel104 relative to base heel 102, or to base section 114, or relative tofloor 20. Sensors 132 and 136 continuously transmit sensing/detectionsignals to controller 151.

At 508, controller 508 is continuously processing the data received fromsensors 132 and 136. Step 508 may be included as part of steps 506A and506B as the processing by controller 151 may be done substantiallysimultaneously with the sensing/detection.

At 510, controller 151 determines if the selected heel height has beenreached. If not reached, steps 504A (B), 506A (B) and 508 are repeated.If yes, continue to 512. It may be noted that steps 510 and 512 may besimultaneously performed by controller 151.

At 512, controller 151 determines if heel 104 is perpendicular to floor20. If not, steps 504A (B), 506A (B) and 508 are repeated. If yes,continue to 514.

At 514, controller 151 stops the operation of extend/retract drivemechanism 130, vertical alignment mechanism 134, and sole adjustmentmechanism 140.

At 516, controller 151 activates sole locking mechanism 142 to maintainthe adjusted shape of outer sole 12 and inner sole 14 (i.e. shoe 10).Controller 151 additionally activates vertical alignment lockingmechanism 135 to lock heel 104 so that the extension making contact withfloor 20 is perpendicular to the floor.

At 518, the method is completed. Heel 104 in shoe 10 has been adjustedto the required heel height and the shape of the sole adjustedaccordingly.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6 which is a flow chart of a method ofadjusting the heel height of shoe 10 including heel adjustment system100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. A skilledperson may realize that the exemplary method described herein may beimplemented using more steps or less steps, and may include differentsequences of steps.

At 600, the user puts on a pair of shoes 10 which include heeladjustment system 100. The user may be sitting during the placing ofshoes 10. The user may manually activate heel adjustment system 100 ineach shoe. Alternatively, heel adjustment system is automaticallyactivated in each shoe upon user putting on shoes 10.

At 602, the user activates remote control device 150.

At 604, the user inputs the desired heel height into remote controldevice 150. The desired heel height for each shoe (or for both if sameheel height) may be input by pressing buttons, by touching on a screen,or by selecting from a menu which may include shoe type and model,possible heel lengths, among other input data which may be selected bythe user. Additionally or alternatively, the user may download the heelheight to the remote control device from a website or as a message fromanother person, for example, medical-related personnel.

At 606, the user instructs remote control device 150 to upload the datato heel adjustment system 100 in shoes 10.

At 608, the user may stand with shoes on, if not previously standing,and/or may walk with shoes on. Heel height of shoes has been adjustedaccording to uploaded data. User may view heel height data and otherinformation on display of remote control device 150.

At 610, the user may adjust the heel height in either one or both shoe10 if not comfortable standing or walking.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the precedingdiscussions, it is appreciated that, throughout the specification,discussions utilizing terms such as “processing,” “computing,”“calculating,” “determining,” or the like, refer to the action and/orprocesses of a computer, computing system, or similar electroniccomputing device that manipulates and/or transforms data represented asphysical, such as electronic, quantities within the computing system'sregisters and/or memories into other data similarly represented asphysical quantities within the computing system's memories, registers orother such information storage, transmission or display devices.

Embodiments of the present invention may include apparatus forperforming the operations herein. This apparatus may be speciallyconstructed for the desired purposes, or it may comprise ageneral-purpose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by acomputer program stored in the computer. Such a computer program may bestored in a computer readable storage medium, such as, but not limitedto, any type of disk, including floppy disks, optical disks,magnetic-optical disks, read-only memories (ROMs), compact discread-only memories (CD-ROMs), random access memories (RAMs),electrically programmable read-only memories (EPROMs), electricallyerasable and programmable read only memories (EEPROMs), magnetic oroptical cards, Flash memory, or any other type of media suitable forstoring electronic instructions and capable of being coupled to acomputer system bus.

While certain features of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, andequivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is,therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended tocover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spiritof the invention.

1-39. (canceled)
 40. A shoe comprising: an extendable and retractableheel; an adjustable sole platform between an inner sole and an outersole of said shoe comprising at least a first section attached to asecond section, and wherein said first section is angularly displaceablerelative to said second section and angularly displaceable relative tosaid heel; and a heel adjustment mechanism to maintain at least aportion of said heel in contact with a walking surface substantiallyperpendicular to the walking surface.
 41. A heel adjustment system foruse with a shoe comprising: an extendable and retractable heel; one ormore sensors to detect a position of at least a portion of said heel; aheel base to which said heel is attached and comprising a heeladjustment mechanism receiving the output of said one or more sensors tomaintain at least said portion of said heel in contact with a walkingsurface substantially perpendicular to the walking surface; and acontrol mechanism including a controller to automatically control saidheel adjustment mechanism.
 42. The shoe according to claim 40 andwherein said heel adjustment mechanism determines perpendicularity basedon the retraction and extension states of said first and secondsections.
 43. The system according to claim 41 and wherein said heeladjustment mechanism determines perpendicularity based on the retractionand extension states of said first and second sections.
 44. The shoeaccording to claim 40 and also comprising a transceiver forcommunicating with a remote control device over a wireless network. 45.The system according to claim 41 and also comprising a transceiver forcommunicating with a remote control device over a wireless network 46.The shoe according to claim 44 wherein said wireless network is at leastone of a wireless local area network, a cellular network, and a personalarea network.
 47. The system according to claim 45 wherein said wirelessnetwork is at least one of a wireless local area network, a cellularnetwork, and a personal area network.
 48. The shoe according to claim 40and also comprising an electronic interface module to allow a user tomanually activate said heel adjustment mechanism.
 49. The systemaccording to claim 41 and also comprising an electronic interface moduleto allow a user to manually activate said heel adjustment mechanism. 50.The shoe according to claim 48 and also comprising a sensor fordetecting pressure on at least one of said heel, said first section andsaid second section.
 51. The system according to claim 49 and alsocomprising a sensor for detecting pressure on said heel.
 52. The shoeaccording to claim 40 and also comprising an electronic interface modulefor providing heel height adjustment data to a controller.
 53. Thesystem according to claim 41 and also comprising an electronic interfacemodule for providing heel height adjustment data to said controller. 54.The shoe according to claim 40 and comprising a sole adjustmentmechanism for automatically displacing said at least first sectionrelative to said second section.
 55. The shoe according to claim 54wherein said sole adjustment mechanism comprises a locking mechanism tomaintain said first section in a fixed position relative to said secondsection.
 56. The shoe according to claim 48 and wherein said electronicinterface module is implemented in one of: a smart phone, a tabletcomputer and a mobile device with communication capability.
 57. Thesystem according to claim 49 and wherein said electronic interfacemodule is implemented in one of: a smart phone, a tablet computer and amobile device with communication capability.
 58. The shoe according toclaim 52 and wherein said electronic interface module is implemented inone of: a smart phone, a tablet computer and a mobile device withcommunication capability.
 59. The system according to claim 53 andwherein said electronic interface module is implemented in one of: asmart phone, a tablet computer and a mobile device with communicationcapability.
 60. The shoe according to claim 40 and wherein said heeladjustment mechanism comprises an axis at a top of said heel.
 61. Thesystem according to claim 41 and wherein said heel adjustment mechanismcomprises an axis at a top of said heel.
 62. The shoe according to claim50 wherein said sensor comprises at least one of a pressure sensor, anoptical sensor, an electro-magnetic sensor, a magnetic sensor, and aswitch.
 63. A system according to claim 51 wherein said sensor comprisesat least one of a pressure sensor, an optical sensor, anelectro-magnetic sensor, a magnetic sensor, and a switch
 64. The shoeaccording to claim 40 wherein said adjustable sole platform comprisesmeans to allow said outer sole and said inner sole to assume a shapewhich conforms to an adjusted heel height.